The Boss's Forbidden Secret: A Single Dad & Nanny Romance by Roxanne Rose

Author:Roxanne Rose [Rose, Roxanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Adrienne

Wearing a skin-tight wetsuit is way out of my comfort zone, but Joel went out of his way to get me one from the nearest outdoor store after I agreed to go kayaking on the lake this morning, so unfortunately, I can’t not wear it.

Also unfortunately, I can’t reach my midback far enough to zip it up. I sigh, smoothing out the thick neoprene fabric before heading out to join the girls by the patio doors. Joel kneels, fastening up Brinley’s suit. His gaze lifts to me, and I fight a shiver when his mouth parts and his pupils dilate.

Friends, my ass. The man is looking at me just like he did last night, and all it took was a black form-fitting outfit. Men are so predictable.

If he wants to live in denial, I’m done trying to convince him otherwise. As long as he stops playing games, I’m good with staying away.

Kind of.

Unfortunately, his wetsuit has much the same effect on me. The material clings to his body, from his thick thighs to his hard chest and muscular arms. His hair is messier than usual, tousled on top of his head, and he hasn’t bothered to shave. Other than this morning, it’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him since I met him, and it suits him annoyingly well. What I wouldn’t give to feel that untamed stubble between my thighs.

But I can’t. I won’t. I have to come to terms with that before another mistake is made.

“Would you mind zipping me up?” I ask turning around and holding my breath.

I hear him rise. Hear his footfalls as he approaches. His fingers barely graze me, and yet still goosebumps rise on my skin when he brushes my hair off my neck and tugs up the zip. “Fits okay?”

“Yeah. Thank you again for buying it.”

“No problem. You girls are going to show Adrienne how to kayak, aren’t you?”

I turn around to face the kids, smiling eagerly — but it isn’t returned by Brinley. Her eyes are far away, reflecting the gray sky and green woods outside.

My excitement soon turns to worry. It isn’t like her to be so subdued. “Are you okay, Brin?”

She nods, mousy brown curls tumbling down her shoulders. “Yup.”

“Baby, if you don’t want to kayak today—” Joel begins softly, but he’s quickly cut off by Brinley’s adamant, “I do!” She lifts her chin stubbornly, resembling her father more than is comfortable.

Joel purses his lips as though he isn’t convinced, but still gathers the lifejackets and opens the patio door. Fifi dashes out, as happy as ever to be set free in the garden. Brinley skips with Eloise ahead of us, and finally, Joel explains.

“There was an accident when Brinley was little. She fell in and almost drowned. We don’t go on the water much these days, although she’s brave and pretends it doesn’t bother her. I know better, though.” His brown eyes gleam with the memory, and he suddenly looks older than I’ve ever seen him. Troubled lines roughen his edges.

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